California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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FRED
J. JOHNS The
identification of many successive generations of the Johns family with
England remained unbroken until James T. Johns in 5^ouug manhood left
Great Britain for the newly discovered mines of the far west. In common
with the majority of the ambitious Argonauts of that period, he embarked
in mining pursuits, but he continued in the same industry for a much
longer time than many and he also met with a fair degree of success in
his ventures. For many years he held a position as foreman for the North
Star Mining Company, and meanwhile he acquired mining stock of his own,
so that ultimately he owned large interests in two gold mines in
California. Among the miners of the early days he bad a high reputation
for accuracy of judgment and energy of temperament. Nor was a loyalty of
devotion to his adopted country less in evidence among his most
pronounced qualities. At the time of coming to this country he was a
mere lad, and it was not until 1876 that he established domestic ties,
his marriage in that year uniting him with Miss Elizabeth Adams, who had
the distinction of being one of the first white children born in the
northern part of California. During the early development of Nevada
county her father, William H. Adams, held rank as a prominent man of
affairs, a leading politician and for several terms the incumbent of the
office of sheriff. In
the family of James T. Johns there was but one child, Fred J., whose
birth occurred at Grass Valley, Nevada county, Cal., September 13, 1878,
and whose schooling was had in the little town where he was born. Quite
early in life he studied telegraphy and after he had acquired accuracy
in the art he became operator at Grass Valley for the Western Union
Telegraph Company. At the expiration of six years he resigned that
position and began to assist Ms father in mining affairs. In October,
189G, he came to Sacramento and turned his attention to the realty
business as a salesman for the Carmichael Company, and it was not long
before he had proved his value in that connection. It is characteristic
of him that he judges real estate values with almost unerring precision
and he possesses the further qualification of finding without delay the
kind of property a would-be buyer prefers. On the 1st of April, 1909, he
opened an office on K street for a general real estate and brokerage
business, but later he removed to No. 1023 Ninth street, where he has
every modern convenience desirable in the management of his business or
in the personal comfort afforded by his quarters. Besides being
associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, for years he held official positions with the
Native Sons of the Golden West. During 1905 he was appointed a member of
the committee that was instrumental in promoting the celebration and
electrical parade commemorating Admission Day in Sacramento. The marriage of Fred J. Johns and Miss Flo Robinette of Sacramento took place in this city in 1902. They are the parents of three children, namely: Fred R., born December 18, 1904; California, who was born September 9, 1906, on Admission Day, and was named in commemoration of this date, and Marjorie, born July 25, 1908. Mrs. Johns gives earnest and capable assistance to the work of the English Lutheran church, with which she is associated as a member, and in addition she is also a member of the Tuesday club. Her father, John L. Robinette, was the founder of the California Odd Fellow, the official organ of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state, and was one of the leading state workers of that organization. At the time of his death, in September of 1899, he was so influential and so prominent in the order that, had his life been spared for a few more years, he would have received the very highest honors within the power of the fraternity to bestow. In his demise the order sustained a heavy loss and his home city also was deprived of one of its most loyal and patriotic men. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |